This newsletter will become a monthly communique to keep you current about the Foundation's role in supporting research to find a cure for gastric cancer. While the format will evolve, each issue will include updates about the gastric cancer registry, new discoveries in the field, and what all of our supporters are doing to raise awareness and highlight gastric cancer in their communities.

How can we do better? Share your ideas about how we can be more effective in highlighting support for gastric cancer research in your area! Email us at info@gastriccancer.org.

First Research Scholar Close to Publishing Results

Mohamad El-Zaatari, PhD, the recipient of the first Gastric Cancer Foundation and American Gastroenterology Association (AGA)
Research Scholar Award is preparing to publish two papers this fall with his initial results. The University of Michigan Medical School investigator, studying the role of inflammation in gastric cancer,
is also applying for larger grants to continue this research.

"This grant has enabled me to pursue research and show substantial results so I can seek larger grants to continue these important studies," he said. "With grants like this one, the Foundation has the ability to develop an army of investigators to pursue research on this scarcely funded cancer."

In coming issues, we'll share more from Dr. El-Zaatari about his journey and his continuing work toward finding a treatment for the disease. The winning application in 2014 provided $270,000 over three years to study how chronic inflammation causes certain cells to become malignant and changes in inflamed stomach tissue that lead to precancerous conditions. Read more in our
Spring 2014 Newsletter.

New York City Spring Event Boosts Research Funding

Gastric cancer patient John Nichols addressed more than 100 guests.

The Gastric Cancer Foundation's Spring fundraising event in New York raised $100,000 for early stage research to help scientists focus on the next big breakthrough in finding a cure for gastric cancer. With the support raised from the April 11 event, the Foundation is approaching $3 million in total donations. "More importantly, we have committed more than $2 million in grants for gastric cancer research," said Foundation Board Chair Wayne Feinstein.

Gastric cancer patient John Nichols said it best, "I'm doing well because of advances in the kind of research the Foundation has, and continues, to support."

The April fundraiser at Feinstein's/54 Below was the third event featuring a special performance by multi-platinum-selling, Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated entertainer, Michael Feinstein. A very special thanks to our national sustaining sponsor, Lilly Oncology, and all of our event sponsors.
Visit the photo gallery to see more of the spring event.

Gastric Cancer Registry Reaches 300

Board member Jim Ford, MD, of Stanford University reports that the gastric cancer registry has now received significant data from more than 300 people with stomach cancer. These contacts have shared lifestyle, health and family histories, environmental factors as well as physical samples of the tumors themselves.

"Of course, we want more people to register, but reaching 300 patients in the gastric cancer registry is important," said Dr Ford. "We now have a sufficient sample size for researchers to analyze and draw conclusions from patients' histories and tissue and blood samples for our continuing genome research."

We encourage you to post photos and news of your activities supporting gastric cancer awareness and research in your community. Follow us on
Facebookand Twitter to share directly and email usso we can help promote your event through our website!

You Can Help Fund The Most Underfunded Major Cancer

Help us build an "army of investigators" to focus on gastric cancer.

Without research funds for this sorely underfunded cancer, young researchers may be drawn away to other cancer fields. Your donation makes it possible for more researchers to do the studies that will lead to breakthroughs in finding a cure.
Donate now!